A Tale of Five Countries - Background and Confidence in Preservice Primary Teachers in Drama Education across Five Countries

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

A Tale of Five Countries examines how preservice primary teachers’ backgrounds and confidence relate to drama education across five countries: Australia, South Africa, Namibia, the USA, and Ireland. The study evaluates whether perceptions of background and confidence differ significantly by country and analyzes responses from 939 preservice generalist teachers. Results show statistically significant differences in both background and confidence among countries, leading to recommendations for teacher educators to strengthen drama education preparation for primary teachers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Background

Australian Journal of Teacher Education | Volume 38 | Issue 7 | Article 5 | | --- | --- | 2013 A Tale of Five Countries: Background and Confidence in Preservice Primary Teachers in Drama Education across Five Countries Deirdre E. Russell-Bowie University of Western Sydney, [d.russell-bowie@uws.edu.au](d.russell-bowie@uws.edu.au) Recommended Citation Russell-Bowie, D. E. (2013). A Tale of Five Countries: Background and Confidence in Preservice Primary Teachers in Drama Education across Five Countries. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38 (7). [http://dx.doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2013v38n7.7](http://dx.doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2013v38n7.7) This Journal Article is posted at Research Online. [http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol38/iss7/5](http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol38/iss7/5) Australian Journal of Teacher Education A Tale of Five Countries: Background and Confidence in Preservice Primary Teachers in Drama Education across Five Countries Deirdre E. Russell-Bowie University of Western Sydney Abstract: In many public primary schools across different countries, generalist primary teachers are required to teach all subjects, including music, dance, drama and visual arts. This study investigates the background and confidence of preservice primary teachers from five countries in relation to drama and drama education. It also examines if there is a difference between the preservice teachers’ perceptions of their own background and confidence in drama education in relation to each of the five countries (Australia, South Africa, Namibia, USA and Ireland). On investigating the differences between countries, there were significant statistical differences in the means of responses from preservice teachers from the different countries in relation to both background and confidence in drama education. The paper concludes with suggestions for teacher educators, given their students’ weak background in drama education. Introduction Alter, Hays, and O'Hara (2009) indicate that the generalist primary school teacher is often required to teach all subjects in their classroom. These include the ‘important’ subjects such as mathematics and literacy, as well as the other subjects such as science, social studies, physical education and the arts. This is a significant responsibility for the classroom teacher and, as Wilkins (2009) notes, often some subjects are taught more than others depending on the teacher’s confidence and background in the subject. When preservice primary generalist teachers enrol in their teacher education courses, research by Ng (2010) notes that they bring with them a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, prior learning and related confidence in each of the subjects they are required to teach when they graduate. Research by Jacobs (2008) has indicated that they have little prior experience or confidence in any of the art forms and often bring with them their negative attitudes to the arts in the school setting. Bandura (1997) indicates that the background and confidence of generalist teachers affects if and how much they teach the arts subjects. This paper reports on a study based on a larger unpublished creative arts survey across five countries (Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Ireland and USA). The study investigated the perceived background and confidence of 939 preservice generalist primary teachers in relation to drama education and if there was any relationship between their confidence and background in this art form. It also examined whether there were significant statistical differences in perception related to their country of origin. Based on the results of this survey, suggestions are made to enhance preservice teacher education arts courses to enhance the teaching of drama education in primary schools by generalist teachers. Vol 38, 7, July 2013 59 Australian Journal of Teacher Education Background According to Bodily et al (2008), music and visual art

FAQs

What does the study investigate about preservice primary teachers?

The study investigates preservice primary teachers’ background and confidence regarding drama and drama education across five countries.

Which countries are included in the research?

The research includes Australia, South Africa, Namibia, the USA, and Ireland.

What do the results show about differences between countries?

Significant statistical differences appear in the means of responses from preservice teachers across countries for both background and confidence in drama education.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine